What Is Identity?

Identity is a complex, dynamic social marker that is constructed through social interaction. The self is an explicit social product. Erving Goffman had a dramaturgical approach to the concept of identity- that when we are born, we are thrust on to a metaphorical stage called everyday life and through constant exposure to social exchange, we learn to perform our identities, writing various scripts and using props to better play out our roles. We have front and back stages and can juggle between numerous characters. Post-modern conditions have made it possible for us to fabricate multiple selves that could overlap and merge together. It is through the sense of identity- whether it be class, gender, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or a combination of them- which we locate ourselves in this world and consider ourselves a member belonging to a particular community. …show more content…
Yet, some still consider identity to be static and assumed to be a fixed aspect of our lives, established at some point and consistently carried out in that way. Because we no longer live in a world dictated by binaries and simplicity, we must let go of the sense of identity as being essential, primary and cohesive and begin to understand the intricacy of it. By exploring the theories of intersectionality and performativity, developed by Patricia Hill Collins and Judith Butler respectively, it will be argued that the past view of a stable, fixed identity is no longer pertinent nor sufficient to help discern all of the facets of the self but rather detrimental in regards to global politics as it can augment the distance between groups and fail to recognise that there is an overlap in